About mcgntr

About Ann
I was lucky and grew up in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts surrounded by the arts, industry, literature, and family.
I had a great education-- undergraduate work at Caldwell College and my masters at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where I began business life as Training Assistant. Returning east, I continued in the training profession, and ‘fell’ into Human Resources - first, Recruiting and Employment, Director of Human Resources and finally Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Training. I bowed out of the corporate world with the white collar layoffs in early ‘90s – and started a new venture McGill Enterprises: HelpQuick Human Resources Advisory & Training Services. I have enjoyed great opportunities - publishing 3 training books, mentoring HR professionals, creating a wide variety of training programs, writing scripts, and becoming an adjunct professor.

Each name on a War Memorial has a life story. Before I joined NanoWrimo, I had written many stories. Here is my story of how I wrote Shrapnel – a November story – a Memorial Story for my family to … Continue reading →

IT’S NOVEMBER: NanoWrimo sparks over 300,000 writers to start their new novels. War Veterans gather at cemeteries and memorials to remember past sacrifices. Both seek to engage us in stories that matter. I paired these two groups and their twined … Continue reading →

It’s November – and it’s National Novel Writing Month! Again! I’m joining the 300,000+ writers in writing my novel. This is my third year participating in this venture. Besides having fun and writing 45,000 words last year, I renewed my … Continue reading →

BUSINESS IMPRESSIONS When you attend a training conference, or go to a Chamber of Commerce meeting, or join a business discussion group – you expect your colleagues to act and look “businesslike” and professional. The conference attendees may be from … Continue reading →

When we think of entrepreneurs we think of energy, drive, risk-taking. We think Success! Consider the current high school and college graduates. They believe that they can start their own businesses at any time. Many of my college students, inspired … Continue reading →

DIGITAL ISOLATION “The other day I passed a young woman who was texting and crying, bending intently over her phone as strangers brushed past her on the sidewalk….My normal first impulse – and, I think, most people, even in Boston–would … Continue reading →